You’ve heard the warning that soft drinks sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup will sabotage your diet. And as part of your weight loss plan, you probably eliminated soda and began drinking more water. Now, new findings from a recent research study will make you very happy that you did.
Research has found that cola may be tied to lower bone mineral density, a risk factor for osteoporosis, especially in older women. Bone mineral density refers to the mineral density, such as calcium, in one’s bones and helps determine their overall strength. When bones become lighter, less dense, and more porous, there is an increased risk of fracture. The research study, conducted by Dr. Katherine Tucker from the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, compared the bone mineral density of more than 2,500 men and women. Researchers found that for women in the study, cola consumption was strongly linked to lower bone mineral density in their hips, no matter what kind of cola a woman drank on a regular basis. However, there was no link between cola and bone strength for men.
Dr. Tucker notes, “Everyone should realize that what you eat has potential to affect your bones. Women concerned with osteoporosis may want to steer away from frequent consumption of cola until further studies are conducted.” The 12 grams of protein in our 60 calorie serving Fruit Drink also keeps your bones healthy, as recent research shows protein can actually slow down the bone loss that leads to osteoporosis.